Bataoil asks Congress: Upgrade honor for Fallen 44
FROM BRAVERY TO MEDAL OF VALOR
LINGAYEN— Second District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, a former Special Action Force (SAF) battalion commander in 1992, delivered a privilege speech at the House of Representatives Tuesday to raise the level of honor for SAF’s Fallen 44.
Bataoil asked that the Medalya ng Katapangan (Bravery Medal) awarded by President Aquino is the fourth highest medal that can be bestowed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to honor a police officer.
He asked that the honor be upgraded to a Medal of Valor.
He said SAF’s 44 deserve a Medal of Valor each because the condition set for it by Presidential Decree No. 1687 – to prove “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life and limb above and beyond the call of duty” has been met.
Specifically, a member of the PNP “must perform in action a deed of personal bravery and self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty so conspicuous as to distinguish himself clearly above his comrades in the performance of more than ordinary hazardous service.”
In case of actual combat with armed enemies, this award may be given “only if the enemy force is so overwhelming compared to the government troops.”
He pointed out that under Republic Act 9049, a Medal of Valor awardee will be entitled to a lifetime monthly gratuity of P20,000.00., and children of the awardee will be entitled scholarships to PMA (Philippine Military Academy), PNPA (Philippine National Police Academy) and will have priority to join government organizations.
Bataoil noted that upgrading the honor is possible because the citation given each of the Fallen 44 was the word “interim” to the Bravery Medal.
“I am making this appeal to all who value freedom from terrorism, and truly care for the peace and security of the Filipino people”, Bataoil said.
He pointed out that the Bravery Medal is awarded merely on the condition that when the enemy is superior than the government troops during the actual combat by at least eight (8) but not more than twenty (20) combatants.”
The two SAF companies faced a whole MILF base camp reinforced by countless BIFF for crying out loud. According to survivors, the enemy death toll was higher but of course, the MILF will never reveal this weakness.
Bataoil said since the inception of the PNP in 1991, only five officers have been awarded the Medal of Valor and only one from SAF, that is Police Officer 1 Jamaron Sandag, who gallantly fought the MILF during the attacks in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte in 2003.
He added that the upgrading of the honor will rectify the initial determination that the firefight that lead to the deaths of 44 SAF troopers was labeled as a mere misencounter, when in fact, the SAF fought off lawless elements – MILF and BIFF.
Bataoil said, “To honor SAF’s Fallen 44 with medals of valor will boost PNP morale and the will to fight.”
He recalled the lament of SAF trooper that “this country is not worth dying for, sir, kung yung gobyerno natin hindi kami kayang protektahan as a warrior,” an indication of the low morale in the PNP’s ranks.
He said “it will honor our heroes. It will take care of families. It will boost the will to fight of our PNP, and our AFP as well, and make them feel that we, in government, value their service and sacrifice.” (Tita Roces)
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